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Wallace Felt Toronto journal and family records

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSS 8503

Scope and Contents

Materials consist of digital images and photocopies of Wallace Felt Toronto journals from 1929 to 1931.

Dates

  • 1929-1932

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from Wallace Felt Toronto journal and family records must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.

Biographical History

Walace Felt Toronto (1907-1968) was a pioneering missionary leader from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints among the Slavic people.

Wallace Felt Toronto was born on December 9, 1907, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to parents Albert and Minnie Ether Toronto. In 1929 he joined the first elders transferred to open the Czechoslovak Mission under Arthur Gaeth. When released, Wallace studied at the University of Utah and soon married Martha Sharp.

In 1936 he was called to preside over the Czech Mission. New cities were opened, and conversions continued. The Nazi occupation of Czech lands in 1938 and 1939 led to the evacuation of all missionaries. During the war, Wallace became the director of the Utah Red Cross. In 1946 Wallace and his family returned to Prague. With a larger missionary force, the Church expanded even after the February 1948 Communist coup. But by 1950 the missionaries were expelled, and the registration of the Church was cancelled.

At home in Utah, Wallace taught seminary, served the Young Men’s MIA board, and became executive secretary of the Utah Cancer Society. Through cryptic letters, he kept in touch with the Saints in Czechoslovakia. In 1964 President McKay assigned the Torontos to visit the Czech Saints as tourists. In 1965 he was asked to return alone to meet with the ministry officials. He did so, but only after he was arrested following his interview on television during the huge national sports festival. His request for Church recognition was rejected, and he was deported at the German border. Wallace Toronto remained president of the Czech Mission until his death from cancer on January 10, 1968 in Salt Lake City.

Extent

1 box (0.5 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

The journals were donated by Mary Jane Woodger, of the Church History department, in 2014.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated; Mary Jane Woodger; 2014.

Appraisal

Utah and the American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).

Processing Information

Processed; Margaret Weddle, student manuscript processor, and John M. Murphy, curator; 2014.

Title
Register of Wallace Felt Toronto journal and family records
Status
Completed
Author
Margaret Weddle
Date
2014-07-25
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States